In 2010, hockey fans around the world got to watch one of the best tournaments as the worlds best players took to the ice on the biggest stage at the Vancouver Olympics.
As fans, do you think players care more about winning Lord Stanley or winning a gold medal? Here’s something to think about. If you win the Stanley Cup, you become a hero in the city you call home. However, if you win gold at the Olympics, you become a hero in the country you call home. In my opinion, winning for your country playing alongside your comrades, your lifelong friends is on a completely different scale.
Pittsburgh Penguins superstar, Sidney Crosby led Team Canada with the golden goal and a thrilling overtime victory over the United States 3-2. My question is to you, the reader. Did you cheer for Crosby when he scored the game wining goal?
In 2014, The United States will once again compete for a gold medal behind stout goaltending in Ryan Miller, if not for Miller’s unreal play in Vancouver, there would have been no silver medal for Team USA. Jonathan Quick is the 2012 Conn Smythe winner as he exemplifies his calm demeanor when playing against the world’s best players. Zach Parise, Patrick Kane, and Bobby Ryan will lead a young fast core of fowards with steady puck moving defenseman led by Ryan Suter, Brooks Orpik, and Keith Yandle.
As we know, there is an abundance of forward talent and a mix of youth and veteran experience for team Canada. Certain locks to make the team will be players such as Crosby, Toews, Perry, Stamkos, and Giroux. It will be the position where the toughest decisions will be made and some all world talent will be left off.
Canada’s Defense is also stacked with Duncan Keith, Shea Weber, Drew Doughty, and Kris Letang. However, Canada’s goaltender status is a huge question mark and will be without question their Achilles heel heading into the tournament. Carey Price and Roberto Luongo make sense but to leave out Cam Ward, Martin Brodeur, and Marc Andre Fleury for Braden Holtby, Mike Smith, and Corey Crawford is mind boggling.
On March 2nd, 2010 Goaltender, Ryan Miller received a standing ovation in Pittsburgh on that night for leading the United States to an Olympic silver medal and an unbelievable performance which earned him M.V.P. honors for the tournament. The cheers he received were by far louder than of the ones given to Penguins’ own, Sidney Crosby who also heard a smattering of boos throughout the crowd.
So my question to you, the reader is, “City or Country?” Do you cheer for your country or do you cheer for Penguins players from Canada?
